{"id":1416,"date":"2019-06-15T16:57:26","date_gmt":"2019-06-15T20:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/augustaent.com\/?p=1416"},"modified":"2019-09-27T17:21:54","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T21:21:54","slug":"youve-been-diagnosed-with-hearing-loss-now-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/augustaent.com\/youve-been-diagnosed-with-hearing-loss-now-what\/","title":{"rendered":"You\u2019ve Been Diagnosed with Hearing Loss. Now What?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you have just been diagnosed with hearing loss<\/strong>, you are part of a not-so-exclusive club; some 48\nmillion people in Georgia and throughout the country experience impaired\nhearing to a certain degree. You are doubtless experiencing many emotions right\nnow and wondering how your life will change with this new diagnosis. The good\nnews is, you can still lead a perfectly normal life with hearing\nloss<\/a> \u2013 it just takes some time to adjust. With a few adaptations,\nyou\u2019ll enjoy the same quality lifestyle you did before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"question<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Meet with your audiologist.<\/h2>\n\n\n

The mere fact that you sought treatment for your hearing loss is a\npositive step in the right direction. It takes the average Georgia resident\nseven years to seek help for a hearing impairment; that\u2019s a lot of time spent asking\nothers \u201cwhat?\u201d over and over again or watching TV with the volume so high\nothers around you are tempted to leave the room. Now that you know there is a\nproblem, you can treat it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your first step is to meet with your audiologist at Augusta ENT<\/a> to discuss your hearing test results. Treatment will depend on the type and severity of your impairment, as well as its underlying cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing loss severity is measured in degrees ranging from normal\nto profound and is based upon your hearing loss range in decibels; equally\nimportant is the frequency of your hearing loss. Some people are unable to hear\nlow frequency sounds, while others have trouble with higher frequencies. These\nresults will help your audiologist determine what type of hearing loss you are\nexperiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n

Determine your hearing loss\ntype.<\/h3>\n\n

What is conductive hearing loss?<\/h4>\n\n\n

There are three basic types of\nhearing loss<\/a>. Those suffering from conductive\nhearing loss<\/strong> have problems with the outer or middle ear. This can be the\nresult of fluid buildup, an ear infection, impacted earwax, allergies, foreign\nobjects in the ear, malformations of the outer or middle ear, and other\ninnocuous causes. Conductive hearing loss can often be treated successfully\nwith drugs or surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n

What is sensorineural hearing loss?<\/h4>\n\n\n

Sensorineural hearing loss<\/strong> involves a problem with the inner ear. Also known as nerve deafness, this type of hearing loss<\/a> is the result of damaged hair cells in the cochlea and may be caused by aging, noise exposure, viruses, trauma, hereditary factors, side effects of certain medications, malformations of the inner ear, or benign tumors. Sensorineural hearing loss is irreversible; the go-to treatment is hearing aids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people experience mixed\nhearing loss<\/strong>, which \u2013 as the name implies \u2013 is a combination of damage to\nthe outer, middle, and inner ear. <\/p>\n\n\n

Find a treatment solution.<\/h2>\n\n\n

Nine out of ten hearing loss patients experience sensorineural or mixed hearing loss and will benefit from the use of hearing aids<\/a>. If so, you\u2019ll want to choose a pair that not only addresses your specific hearing needs but is also appropriate for your lifestyle (how active\/social you are), is cosmetically appealing, and fits within your budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news? There is a wide range of choices available. The bad\nnews? There is a wide range of choices available. Choosing a hearing aid can be\na daunting task, but your Augusta audiologist is happy to help you through the\nprocess. <\/p>\n\n\n

Related ENT & Allergy Posts:<\/h3>\n\n\n